Becks sentiment won’t sway me, insists Capello

FABIO CAPELLO will not allow sentiment to get in the way of deciding whether David Beckham wins his 100th England cap against Switzerland next month.

Capello is due to announce his squad in just over a fortnight for his first match in charge, against the Euro 2008 co-hosts at Wembley on February 6.

Speculation has been mounting that not only will Beckham become the fifth England player to reach a century of appearances — after Billy Wright, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore and Peter Shilton – he will do so as captain.

As the only current England player to have ever worked under Capello, Beckham knows Steve McClaren’s successor better than anyone. But, while the new manager accepts debate over Beckham’s position within the squad is valid, he has offered no assurances the former Manchester United and Real Madrid man, currently training with Arsenal to retain his match-fitness, will be in it.

“All managers have sentiment – but they also need to take decisions,” said Capello.

“Beckham is important for England and can still give a lot, but as everybody knows, all the players are equally important to me and start from the same position, including David Beckham.”

England will begin their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign away to international minnows Andorra on 6 September.

The Italian’s team then face a tough trip to take on their Euro 2008 nemesis Croatia in Zagreb four days later.

England end their campaign at home to Belarus on 14 October 2009, four days after playing Ukraine in Kiev.